New home for the holidays

Pet adoption, volunteering and donating are just some of the ways to give back to the animal kingdom this year

I encourage everyone to take time to consider animals in need during the holiday season.

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By Julie Damron

recordnet.com

By Julie Damron

Posted Nov. 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM

By Julie Damron

Posted Nov. 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

I encourage everyone to take time to consider animals in need during the holiday season.

Volunteering time; donating items or funds; fostering; or adopting a pet from one of our wonderful local animal rescue groups are ways to contribute.

If you can adopt, there are a wide variety of pure and mix-breed loving animals looking for a home. If you want to donate, slightly used pet items can find new life in the hands of several local animal rescue organizations. Some facilities can benefit from donations of food. If you're interested in volunteering, many facilities are looking for people to walk dogs, socialize pets, groom them and clean equipment.

The Animal Protection League takes animals directly out of our local animal shelter in Stockton, spays and neuters them, and finds them homes. If not for this group's tireless efforts, these dogs and cats would be euthanized. I personally volunteer with this organization doing spay/neuter surgeries on the weekend. They take animals to various locations for adoptions, and also have a facility at 7602 Murray Drive, Suite 106, Stockton.

Information: apl209.org or follow them on Facebook; (209) 956-DOGS.

Animal Friends Connection is based in Lodi, but it also provides rescue services for several animals in need in Stockton. Many of its volunteers foster animals at home. And the group is always in search of more foster homes. It offers classes and canine good citizen certification. Their facility is at 933 S. Cherokee Lane, Lodi.

Information: animalfriendsconnect.org; (209) 365-0535.

Delta Humane Society was founded in 1966 and is one of the few no-kill facilities in our area. It houses animals in need until a home is found for them. Several hundred animals are placed each year. Their facility is at 4590 South 99 Frontage Road, Stockton.

Information: deltahumanesociety.com; (209) 466-0339.

There are also several local breed-specific rescue organizations. Consider Central California Labrador Retriever Rescue (cc-labrescue.org) or Northern California Weimaraner Rescue (norcalweimrescue.org). Typically you can search online to find a rescue group for almost any dog breed and some cat breeds.

If you decide that larger animals are more your interest, there are several local rescue organizations that work with that population. KISS Horse Center rescues horses from feedlot and other desperate situations. They are at 10576 Arno Road, Galt.

Information: kisshorses.com; (916) 591-2481.

The Performing Animals Welfare Society provides sanctuary for all types of large or exotic animals. They have a location in Galt and a large facility in San Andreas.

Information: pawsweb.org; (209) 746-2606.

And the local Micke Grove Zoo does a lot to educate about animals and to help with conservation. They are at 11793 N. Micke Grove Road, Lodi.

Information: mgzoo.com; (209) 953-8800 or (209) 331-7400.

I wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season.

Julie Damron is a veterinarian at Sierra Veterinary Clinic in Stockton. Contact her at features@recordnet.com.